Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2 on PS3, X360, and PC supports up to 4 player co-op, a feature that players have come to expect from the first-person shooter/looting game from Gearbox. The game is finally going to come to PS Vita next week, though initially as part of the new PS Vita bundle. When Vita owners get their hands on the game shortly, they might be a bit disappointed to discover that the game has downgraded from 4 player co-op to 2 players.

Here's an explanation from the PlayStation Blog.

Borderlands 2 is a blast when you’re flying solo, but the PS Vita version also includes support for two-player online co-op play between two PS Vita owners. We checked in with the SCEA Third Party Production team, who confirmed that while they strived to include four-player co-op in the game, they made a decision late in their development cycle to focus on providing the best two-player-only co-op experience possible. As a result, the maximum co-operative player count for Borderlands 2 on PS Vita is capped at two.

The blog post also confirms the game's framerate.

"Environments and character models are surprisingly detailed, and the game overall runs at a solid clip, generally hovering in the vicinity of 30 frames per second," SCEA's Justin Massongill wrote.

As for the controls, Borderlands 2 on Vita will feature customizable options. "To change a control, tap the action or button (even the abilities assigned to the touch screen or rear touch pad) you want to change, then tap wherever you want the action to be. By default, tapping different areas of Vita’s rear touch pad yield a sprint or a melee attack, while a tap on the front screen tosses a grenade or activates your character-specific ability."

The game will also utilize the Vita's built-in gyroscope, allowing players to make aim adjustments by tilting the Vita around similar to Uncharted: Golden Abyss.

The game is cross-save compatible with the PS3 version for players who wish to continue progress from the PS3 to Vita. The Vita version will include a number of DLC packs including Captain Scarlett and her Pirate’s Booty, Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage, the Vault Hunter Upgrade pack, the Collector’s Edition Pack, and DLC characters Gaige the Mechromancer and Krieg the Psycho.

Turns out that the rumors were true as Gearbox Software today officially unveiled Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. As described in a post on the developer's official website, the game will be coming to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC later this year and is being co-developed by 2K Australia.

Here's an official description of what to expect:

Set between Borderlands and Borderlands 2, you’ll play as four all-new character classes fighting alongside Handsome Jack, witnessing his transformation into the ruthless tyrant you loved to hate in Borderlands 2, and assisting with the rise of the Hyperion Corporation. The signature shoot ‘n’ loot gameplay of the Borderlands series expands with the addition of low-gravity and oxygen-powered jetpack combat, the icy ‘Cryo’ elemental damage type, the deadly laser weapon class, and new vehicles to help you explore the diverse lunar landscape.

The four new playable character classes are all familiar faces from the Borderlands universe: Athena the Gladiator (The Secret Armory of General Knoxx), Wilhelm the Enforcer (the robotic badass of Borderlands 2), Nisha the Lawbringer (The Sheriff of Lynchwood in Borderlands 2), and yes, even Claptrap the Fragtrap (from just about everywhere… unfortunately).

Interested? Check out our first-take video below with over six minutes of information on the newly-announced title and then let us know what you're thinking about the Pre-Sequel in the comments section below.

Sony announced that the new slimmer, lighter PS Vita will launch on May 6 in North America. It'll be included in a Borderlands 2 Limited Edition bundle which includes the new PS Vita, a digital copy of Borderlands 2, and a 8GB memory card for $199.99.

The new Vita model sports a LCD screen, has 1GB of internal memory, a better battery life, and is slimmer and lighter than the original PS Vita.

For current PS Vita owners that just want Borderlands 2, they'll have to wait until May 13 when it is released at retail and digitally on the PlayStation Network. The Vita port will include six add-ons including Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty, Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage, the Psycho and Mechromancer Character Classes, the Ultimate Vault Hunter's Upgrade Pack and the Collector's Edition pack. The game will be cross-save compatible with the PS3 version.

The next Borderlands game will be titled Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, according to a report from GamePointsNow. It states that the game will be set in the five year gap between Borderlands 1 and Borderlands 2 and will release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. The report asserts that 2K Australia is developing the game. Earlier this year, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford said his studio isn't working on a new Borderlands, so it actually makes sense that 2K Australia is apparently working on the next one.

The game will take place on Elpsis and a H shaped Hyperion moon base orbiting Pandora and stars four new playable lead characters: Athena The Gladiator, Wilhelm The Enforcer, Nisha The Lawbringer and Fragtrap.

As the report points out, some of these lead characters may be familiar with fans of the Borderlands series. Wilhelm is a boss featured in Boderlands 2 who has a shoulder-mounted canon and drones. Athena appeared in the General Knoxx DLC in Borderlands 1 and is said to be a melee-focused character with plasma sword and an absorbing shield.

The game will feature two new weapon types. Expect to forge laser weapons this time around as well as weapons from the class "Cryo," allowing players to freeze their enemies. Since the game is set in the moon, gravity will be reduced but players will be able to fly around with the game's jetpacks. Players will also have to manage their oxygen levels by obtaining OX-kits.

No release date is set for the game but GamePointsNow thinks it'll be released later this year. The question is, will you be looking forward to the game as described above if the report is accurate? Let us know in the comments.

The final DLC for Borderlands 2, which also serves as the final and fifth Headhunter add-on pack, is titled Sir Hammerlock Versus the Son of Crawmerax. It'll be coming to Steam, Xbox Live, and PlayStation Network on April 15 and will be sold for $2.99/£2.39/2,99 €.

Gearbox will be bringing over its new Borderlands 2DLC, Mad Moxxi and the Wedding Day, on February 11 and it will be the fourth Headhunter DLC. Pricing for the content will come to USD $2.99 / GBP £2.39 / EUR 2,99 € and will be offered on PC/Mac, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

PlayStation Vita owners looking to get their loot on are no doubt anxious for the long-awaited Borderlands 2 to arrive on the powerful handheld. Well, they may not have to wait too much longer if a now-deleted Tweet issued earlier today carries any weight.

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